Brigadier General (ret.) Dr. Erich Vad at the Schondorf Encounters

On 20 November, we welcomed Dr Erich Vad, former Brigadier General of the German Armed Forces, to a meeting in Schondorf entitled "What is certain is that nothing is certain - comments on the international security situation". From 2006-2013, Vad was Group Leader in the Federal Chancellery, Secretary of the Federal Security Council and military policy advisor to the then Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel.

The reasons for conflicts and wars
In his 45-minute presentation, Vad was able to convincingly explain his perspective on the current centres of conflict around the world to the audience: economic power and geopolitical advantages are the primary drivers, human rights and the aspirations for freedom of individual nations are comparatively secondary. Russia, China and the USA are the powers that determine war and peace, and many conflicts around the world are purely proxy wars. He gave several convincing examples: Vietnam, Taiwan, Venezuela, etc.

On the Ukraine war
His statement that the Ukraine war was also in the interests of Germany and Europe could only be about bringing about peace as quickly as possible and possibly at a high price for Ukraine in order to end this war of attrition and prevent possible further demands or even attacks by Russia was central. He formulated this on the eve of the 28-point plan, which then became public on 21 November.

You have to know and understand your enemy AND talk to him.
As a military policy advisor to Angela Merkel, Dr Vad accompanied the German Chancellor on almost all of her trips abroad, prepared them and was present at the talks with various heads of state and government. The insights he was able to give his audience, for example on the visits to Afghanistan, the meetings with Erdogan and other autocrats, were enlightening, sobering and amusing in equal measure. His respect and admiration for Mrs Merkel permeated his lecture and also convinced the audience. The following conviction was central to her: You have to know and understand your enemy AND talk to him.

The importance of personalities
Statements to the effect that Putin had immense respect for her and that an attack on Ukraine would probably not have taken place if she had still been in office illustrated the importance of personalities on the global political stage, sometimes independently of the respective state apparatus for which they act.

Honest dialogue
The question and answer session that followed also dealt with the possible domestic political consequences or prerequisites of his military policy stance motivated by peace efforts. This was followed by controversial discussions, which are all too rarely conducted in such an open and civilised manner these days. And this brings us back to Mrs Merkel's conviction that honest dialogue between all sides is the decisive factor in politics.